Nani Palkhivala, Lakshmi Sehgal conferred Padma Vibushan

Noted jurist Nani Palkhivala and Lakshmi
Sehgal, a close associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, have been
awarded the Padma Vibushan, the country's second highest civilian
honour.

South African anti-apartheid leader Walter Sisulu
and Gandhian Dr Usha Mehta are the two other recipients
of the Vibushan.

The President also gave 18 Padma Bhushan and 32
Padma Shri awards to eminent personalities in the fields
of literature, art, medicine, science, engineering, film and
sports.

The awards were given after a five-year gap.
Earlier, the President had conferred the country's highest civilian
award -- the Bharat Ratna -- on renowned scientist Dr A P J Abdul Kalam
and singer M S Subbulakshmi for their contribution to missile technology and music respectively.